A RARE Inspiration

As the summer comes to a close and our thoughts turn to a certain Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche winter caftan in hunter green (coming soon) we think about what an amazing inspiration vintage can be. It is all about reinvention.   A 1980s silhouette can become something fresh and modern with a new way of wearing it.  Would we recommend crocodile boots and jeans with your vintage from the 1980s?  Absolutely not!  No one wants to look like they are an extra from the television show Dallas!  RARE vintage clients are a flash forward not a flashback.  

RARE vintage is extremely flattered to be a source of inspiration and reference to our clients and readers from Australia to Los Angeles.  

Zoe Kravitz was a recent fashion do and her age appropriate dress was particularly pointed out. The Christian Dior haute couture dress from RARE vintage was from the late 1970s and Zoe in her pink heels and funky jewelry gave a vintage dress a new look.  Collectible, wearable and modern the RARE vintage way.

Zoe Kravitz in a 1970s Christian Dior haute couture silk baby doll dress.  Unlabeled with original mannequin tape.  Modern size 2-6.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

De-lovely and Delicious

A great grape Herve Leger dress is just the thing to slip on as the summer winds down and you have a late summer gorgeous glow.  It is simple, sexy and you will be de-loveliest and the most delicious in it.

Early 1990s grape colored Herve Leger dress.  Size 4.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Tie One On

RARE vintage loves the sexy secretary blouse especially when it is worn like the secretary has just been ravaged by the boss.  The blouse with the scarf can look beautiful, prim and full of mystery when the scarf is tied close to the neck or more bohemian and rock and roll when the blouse is unbuttoned and the scarf is loosely draped.  Below are two classic options from Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino.

 

Bright blue 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche silk blouse with attached scarf.  Size 36.

1970s khaki silk Valentino Boutique blouse with thin tie.  Size 36.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Trois Robes: Retour d'un Grand Classique

RARE vintage has been thinking about the high cost of fashion. Everyone is considering what is a good investment piece to add to their closet. It is actually one of the criteria that is considered before we buy a piece for the collection. Is it something beautiful, is it something that starts our hearts pounding and is it a good investment piece? Is it something that we will desperately want because, truthfully, it is not really about what we need. (And isn't that more fun?!)

Here we have three unique and timeless pieces from the master of French style: Yves Saint Laurent.

The Elegant Sheath

If you like your evening dresses to show a good amount of skin no point reading any further. And if you are taller than 5'5" well, you can read on but the dress will be too short as it is on our extremely tall mannequin. But if you are looking for a beautiful long dress then this early 1980s black sheath from Yves Saint Laurent is waiting for you. Even though the dress covers the body there is a sexy and understated keyhole opening on the back. It is elegantly restrained and with the trend for bold costume jewelry necklaces this autumn it is also a great backdrop for sparkle at the neck. Costume or real the choice is yours.

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche early 1980s black sheath with keykole opening in the back.

Labeled Yves Saint laurent Rive Gauche. Size 36.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Belle de Jour

This is truly a classic Yves Saint Laurent design. The wrap dress in black crepe. It is deadstock with its original tag. We believe that the belt sold with the dress is the original. It is the perfect, ultimate dress when you want to feel beautiful, elegant and soignee.

Deadstock early 1980s black crepe dress.

Labeled Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. Size 36.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, Where Have You Been?

This is a great silk dress in a beautiful shade of blue with white polka dots, a Peter Pan collar and a pussy cat bow from Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. It is sold with its original blue patent belt. There are a few subtle pleats in the front of the dress. And pussy cat, pussy cat where will you go in this dress? To New York, London, Milan and Paris for the shows of course!

1970s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche silk dress with Peter Pan collar.

Labeled Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. Size 36.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Shopping at RARE vintage

We just wanted to add a short note to the blog about shopping at RARE vintage.  We have had an increasing number of inquiry's  about shipping beyond New  York.  We gladly ship worldwide. Our clothes have continued their vintage journeys in New York, France, London, Greece and Hong Kong and destinations in between.  Please feel free to call us at 212 581-7273 or email at info@rarevintageinc.com.  Our store is located at 24 West 57th Street, Suite 501 in Manhattan. We are open Tuesday through Friday from 11:30AM to 6PM.  In September RARE vintage will be open Tuesday through Saturday.  We are on the same block as Bergdorf Goodman.  See you soon!

The Icon: John Galliano's Houndstooth Check Hourglass Suit

Early John Galliano is a particular favorite of RARE vintage.  His collections really epitomize the dream and fantasy that fashion has to offer. We are always looking for early pieces by him as well as pieces from his short design period at Givenchy.  So, if any of our RARE vintage blog readers are interested in parting with their pre 1997 John Galliano or Givenchy pieces please give us a call at 212 581-7273.

This glamorous, sculpted suit looks as good now as it did in 1995.  Patricia Arquette wore it to the premier of her film 'Beyond Rangoon'.  It is a 1940s-silhouette but cut close to the body. The jacket is curved at the waist and padded at the hips.  There is a small slash in the sleeve which has a couture level detail of being outlined in white leather.  The  fit is unbelievable and emphasizes a woman's body.  (It looks much better on the body then on our mannequin by the way.)

1995 John Galliano houndstooth check suit.  

Labeled John Galliano Bergdorf Goodman.  

Size 36.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

The New Black: Black and White

A softer side of Herve Leger?  This early 1990s dress, slightly off the shoulders is gorgeously graphic but softly romantic too with its squiggle pattern.  Perfect for late summer or deliciously delightful during the winter with black tights and booties.

Early 1990s Herve Leger black and white dress.  Size 2/4.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

To The Moon Ossie

This is our absolute favorite gown at the moment. It is heavenly and hip. It is a great wrap dress by Ossie Clark with embroidered moons and stars running along the neckline. It is Ossie Clark for Radley but we don't care! It is so wonderful! We usually try to buy only Ossie Clark's own label but a great dress is a great dress regardless of the label. There is a very nice detail in the art deco inspired button at the top front with a single diamante. A perfect dress with a pair of strappy sandals for dinner out or for a grander ocassion.

Did we say our favorite gown? Well, there is a new Roberto Capucci midnight blue silk satin ball gown from the early 1960s when Capucci opened a house in Paris...

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Super Power

For those of us who lived through 80s the thought that the any of the fashion could possibly return, well, one memory of the hair would be enough to give us a fright and send us out for an immediate blow dry.  But time has been kinder to the fashion of the period and 80s inspired pieces were all over the fall/winter runways.  

Thierry Mugler's extreme fashion designs were always very wearable and this electric blue jumpsuit with its aggressive and curved belt buckle that wraps around the waist is no exception.  The sculpted collar peels away some of the hardness with its gentle  outward drape. Nicholas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga has been exploring futurism but we don't recall seeing a jumpsuit yet...  This is a great wearable and collectible piece.  

Early 1990s Thierry Mugler electric blue jumpsuit with curved belt buckle.  Labeled Thierry Mugler.  Size 38.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

A Yves Saint Laurent Blouse

Yves Saint Laurent liked to shock. Transparency on the runway is not so unusual now but in 1968 when he showed the first see-through look, it was very daring. How daring are you feeling? The client who owned this blouse wore it without a bra. We think that it would look beautiful anyway you decide to wear it.

1980s black silk organza balloon sleeve blouse with ruffle detail and jet buttons. Labeled Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. Size 38. Fits a modern size 4-8.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273. Please include name, state or country and telephone number on all email inquiries.

Norma Kamali in Vogue

In the August issue of Vogue and V magazine there are two pages devoted to vintage Norma Kamali swimsuits. I remember feeling very glamorous at The Beverly Hills Hotel in the exact same draped jersey swimsuit that is featured in Vogue. George Hamilton was poolside with a silvered metallic UV reflector to work on his tan.

RARE vintage has two iconic Norma Kamali swimsuits. Our one piece with silver studs is from Nan Kempner's personal collection. We don't recommend it for lying in the sun necessarily - although it is perfect for The Monte Carlo Beach Club - won't those studs get just a little hot? But it would be amazing as a top!

Our other Norma Kamali swimsuit is prrrfect for the beach and with its micro mini cover up, it is also prrrfect for a little shopping apres beach in town. The ideal ensemble when you want to be the cat's meow. (Sorry, we could not resist!)

1993 studded one piece Norma Kamali swimsuit from the personal collection of Nan Kempner. Size 4.

Early 1990s Norma Kamali leopard print bikini with micro mini cover up. Size 4.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273. Please include name, state or country and telephone number on all email inquiries.

How to Reinvent a Classic

The house of Hervé Leger was founded in 1985. Max Azria acquired the label in 1998. But we love the classic vintage pieces that are made in France. The new dresses are now made in Hong Kong and the fabric is just not the same. Hervé Leger from the 1990s really molds and holds the body. So, how do you reinvent a classic? Just wear it in a fresh modern way! How about with flat gladiator sandals or a great studded sandal from the Gucci fall 2008 collection?

Early 1990s Hervé Leger black widely spaced bandage dress. Size 4.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273. Please include name, state or country and telephone number on all email inquiries.

Jennifer Connelly in RARE vintage

We have admired Jennifer Connelly's independent sense of style for quite some time and thought that she looked amazing in a late 1980s Chanel jumpsuit from RARE vintage.

We also have two incredible Thierry Mugler jumpsuits that we will be adding to the blog shortly.

Flowers for Zoe

Lenny Kravitz's and Lisa Bonet's daughter, Zoe Kravitz, has been out and about Manhattan in dresses from RARE vintage and was listed on Fashion Week Daily's best dressed list in vintage Givenchy haute couture. Maybe you can please all of the people all of the time!

1970s Givenchy Haute Couture Halterneck Dress

Anatomy of a Classic

Lace can be feminine and pretty. Lace can also be extremely sexy. This ca. 1984 lace top by Yves Saint Laurent is tough, sexy and romantic. It is also transparent. It would look beautiful on its own for those who dare or could be worn under a jacket for a hint of nudity. You could also layer a nude color top underneath as Micuccia Prada did with her lace pieces in the fall/winter 2008 show. In the next day or so we will be posting another transparent Yves Saint Laurent blouse but in organza.

Ca. 1984 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche black lace top with cotton trim. Size 34.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273. Please include name, state or country and telephone number on all email inquiries.